Architecture studio Caprini & Pellerin has renovated an art deco casino in the French resort of Cannes, introducing modern features such as an organically shaped marble bar to complement the Belle Époque interior.
Housed in an iconic building designed by French architect Roger Séassal in 1928, the Casino Royal Palm forms part of a redeveloped complex including restaurants, retail spaces and a private members’ club.
The casino’s interior was designed to reflect the architectural language of the art deco building, which features distinctive Hispano-Moorish facades along with decorative details including cornices and volutes.
Working with Caprini & Pellerin, the Palm Beach Group looked to retain the architectural elements that define the casino’s character and layered these with bespoke pieces that connect the modern gambling experience with the glamour of the Belle Époque.
“Our overall goal was to enhance the casino’s opulence without compromising its historical integrity, creating a seamless dialogue between past and present,” Palm Beach Cannes project design manager Skand Tony Barusta told Dezeen.
“We preserved the intricate architectural detailing, such as ornate mouldings and grand chandeliers, while introducing refined modern elements through custom furnishings, ambient lighting and a curated selection of materials.”
The project comprises the main gaming hall along with private rooms and an entertainment lounge with a stage. Each space can be reconfigured to allow for different uses.
The casino aims to provide an immersive experience that recalls the glamour of the early days of cinema, mixed with the modern flair of films such as Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel.
However, the main source of inspiration was provided by the building itself, with modern details such as the art deco-style patterns, furnishings and a jewellery-inspired chandelier all looking back to the French Riviera’s golden age.
“Art deco’s bold geometric shapes, rich materials and sleek aesthetics bring a sense of timeless luxury while allowing for a fresh, modern interpretation,” said the designer.
“What makes it especially exciting in this setting is its balance of symmetry and boldness.”
The main hall features high ceilings and a colour palette of pastel and terracotta tones, which combined with the ambient lighting creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. A star-shaped custom bronze chandelier provides a jewel-like statement in the centre of the space.
The room’s ceiling is decorated with printed screens featuring drawings inspired by the work of Israeli artist Israel Rubinstein. The images, which depict various gaming scenes, are rendered in colours that complement the tones of the casino’s decor.
A central feature of the space is the grand bar topped in Botticino marble with a subtle parchment-like patina and streamlined, sculptural shape.
“The marble bar represents the seamless fusion of heritage and modernity, embodying the spirit of Casino Royal Palm,” explained Barusta.
“Its fluid, curved form reflects the dynamism and elegance of art deco, evoking a sense of movement.”
The bar is illuminated from above by an opaline glass chandelier, surrounded by layers of draped fabric that evoke the sense of spectacle that made the 1920s a golden age of entertainment.
The material palette used throughout the project aims to balance opulence and refinement, layering textured plaster, polished marble and bronze-patinated details to create depth and contrast.
The designers chose to juxtapose geometric shapes with soft curves to create a balance between tension and harmony that evokes the cubist influences of the art deco period.
The space is fitted out with bespoke furniture crafted from dyed French oak, with tulip-inspired lamps and sconces by French lighting artist Guy Bareff contributing to the refined ambience.
The various gaming tables were custom-designed and built using traditional joinery methods, with marquetry and leather inlays providing players with a tactile experience.
This year marks 100 years since the birth of art deco. To celebrate the anniversary, our Art Deco Centenary series explores its enduring influence and looks back at some of the style’s seminal projects including New York’s iconic Chrysler Building and the “ill-fated” ocean liner SS Normandie.
The photography is by Jade Quéré unless otherwise stated.
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